LARMANDIER-BERNIER

Exclusively from plots sharing the same latitude in southern Vertus, a generous terroir yielding fully ripe grapes; wild fermented and matured until July in oak casks and vats; 2019 base vintage; 40% perpetual reserve of previous Latitudes since 2004; aged at least 2 years on lees in bottle; disgorged December 2021; cork

The chalk is deeper in Vertus, 1-1.5m, hence more top soil and more roundness and impression of richness compared with Longitude. We like to play with the ratio of reserves in the blend, so as to give the character of the vintage. We are aiming more for roundness in Latitude than in the past. A smaller press and smaller casks allow us to be more selective in which parcels go into each cuvée, so we are better able to distinguish the styles.' - Pierre Larmandier

The generous southern slopes of Vertus yield a less mineral, easy to drink blanc de blancs. It projects the classic exoticism of the village in enticing layers of golden delicious apple and ripe pear, honed by grapefruit tension. Sensitively handled casks and vats leave the primary voice to the fruit, while enhancing its spicy lift, ground raw almond and creamed honey tone, creamy texture and just a hint of charcuterie on the end. The fine, saline chalk mineral tension of the village is more pronounced than ever in the 2019 base, laying a crystalline backdrop of glittering minerality. Larmandier’s sensitivity in the vines and the wines is on display from his very first cuvée, projecting an effortless sense of harmony and balanced poise. This is a great release for Latitude, signature Larmandier and definitive Vertus.

Tasted 2023 Rating: 92 Tyson Stelzer - The Champagne Guide

Certified organic and biodynamic. Spontaneous fermentation. Smells so fresh! Peaches and grapefruit and Buddha's hand citrus. Intensely, fragrantly citric. Pure, singing like a soprano. Tiny bubbles tap dance white-pepper pertness into the ever-so-slightly smoky finish. It really seems to float. Drinking range: 2024 - 2030 Rating: 17 Tamlyn Currin - www.JancisRobinson.com (May 2024)

The NV Extra Brut Blanc de Blancs Latitude 1er Cru is bright and beautifully focused. The Latitude contains 40% perpetual reserve wine dating back to 2004. It is usually a bit more approachable on release, but this year's version clearly needs time to soften. Today, citrus, floral and mineral notes abound on the steely finish. Dosage is 3 grams per liter. Disgorged: February, 2023. Drinking range: 2025 - 2033 Rating: 92 Antonio Galloni, www.vinous.com (Nov 2023)

Chardonnay from Vertus and nearby villages, 2019 base with 40% reserve wines. A very fresh, crunchy apple macaroon fruit with some light, pale apricot and greengage and a touch of almond. Clean, clear and succulent, this is much gentler and easier-going in style than Longitude, but still impeccably made. Tom Hewson Rating: 91 Tim Atkin MW, www.timatkin.com (Dec 2022)

The NV Extra Brut Blanc de Blancs Latitude 1er Cru is bright, punchy and full of mineral-driven intensity. Crushed flowers, lemon peel, sage, mint and crushed rocks build as this potent, intensely saline Champagne opens in the glass. This is impressive. As always, the Latitude is a Champagne built on textural breadth and volume, typical of wines from the southern sector of Vertus. This release is based on 2019 and 40% a perpetual reserve that goes back to 2004. Dosage is 3 grams per liter. Disgorged: February, 2022. Drinking range: 2022 - 2030 Rating: 94 Antonio Galloni, www.vinous.com (Nov 2022)

This Blanc de Blancs champagne is anything but flashy and it might take a moment switch onto its wavelength. However, it has excellent depth and finely etched contours on the medium-bodied palate, the Amalfi-lemon character building as it aerates in the glass. Beautiful balance at the very long, rather rich but very dry finish. From biodynamically grown grapes. Drink or hold. Rating: 93 James Suckling, www.jamessuckling.com (Jul 2022)

The NV Extra Brut Blanc de Blancs Latitude 1er Cru is a powerful, driving wine that exemplifies the house style at Larmandier-Bernier. There"s real texture and breadth here. Citrus, dried almond, chamomile and crushed flowers build in a beautifully resonant, expressive Champagne that shows the natural richness that is common in the southern part of Vertus. This release is 60% 2018 and 40% a perpetual reserve that goes back to 2004. It"s fabulous. Dosage is 4 grams per liter. Disgorged: April, 2021. Drinking range: 2021 - 2029 Rating: 93 Antonio Galloni, www.vinous.com (Nov 2021)